Plant pathology and molecular diagnostics:
? Identification of the genealogical relationships among L. theobromae found in Brazil with isolates present in other countries. ? Development of a theory about the spread of L. theobromae in continents with a higher incidence of this pathogen. ? Study the etiology of coconut palm leaf burning in Brazil using morphological and phylogenetic approaches to identify the taxa associated with the disease symptoms and their pathogenicity.